Sailing race for hundreds of youngsters celebrates RNLI’s 200th anniversary

The race, organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and inspired by 200 years of saving lives at sea for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), is is open to any Sail Training vessels of which at least half the crew is under 25 years old.

The budding sailors, many of whom have no sailing experience, will be given training on Guernsey before setting off on the race under the guidance of experienced crew. Beyond teaching sailing skills, Sail Training aims to instil qualities that make a real difference to everyday life, such as confidence, teamworking, communication, resilience, adaptability and responsibility.

The week long event begins with the chance to tour St Peter Port lifeboat station and lifeboat, and, culminates on arrival in Poole, with tours of the RNLI College and All-weather Lifeboat Centre, where the charity builds its biggest lifeboats and hosted by many of the RNLI’s 100+ young apprentices.

Andy Wright, RNLI Area Operations Manager for Guernsey who is taking part in the race, said: ‘It’s fantastic to be able to offer these young people the chance to experience a multi-day sailing journey, and to introduce them to the range of employment and volunteering opportunities the RNLI offers at the same time.

‘The charity has been saving lives at sea for 200 years and it’s vital that we engage young people with our mission if we’re going to keep saving lives for another 200. We hope that some of these youngsters that will go on to be lifeboat volunteers and supporters, and this will be the inspiration that starts their RNLI journey.’

Ms Kerry McMillan, ASTO’s Chief Executive, commented: ‘This race was inspired by the RNLI's 200th Anniversary with the aim of raising awareness of the impact on, and value to, young people of sail training and adventure afloat generally.

‘Rising rates of mental health challenges, including issues such as anxiety, have been compounded by the Covid pandemic which effectively resulted in a whole generation of young people who missed so many opportunities at key stages in their development.

‘ASTO last brought our Small Ships to the island in 2007 with the Torquay to Guernsey race so we are thrilled to be back Sail Training and we’re very much hoping to reignite the fantastic opportunities the Sail Training can offer the Bailiwick and its young people.’

The Association of Sail Training Organisations is made up of 31 sailing charities, with a fleet of more than 50 sail training vessels. Each year, ASTO members enable over 12,000 young people and people with additional needs to undertake life changing adventures afloat.

Sail Training is a challenging adventurous activity delivered outside the normal routine of life, but it is also a fun and exciting adventure. Sailing offshore as part of a team that is responsible for the running of the boat opens a whole new world of challenges, skills and discovery.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.